Osk “Vympel” Develops Conceptual Project for New River Ferry 00640
Specialists from the design bureau of the Osk “Vympel” have developed a conceptual project for a new river ferry, designated 00640. According to the developers, such vessels will help address the critical wear and tear of the existing river ferry fleet operating on Russia’s inland waterways, most of which are over 50 years old. More details about the project have been provided by the press service of Osk.
The 00640 project has been designed with the operational experience of existing ferries in mind and offers modern yet economically efficient solutions. The new ferry combines simplicity of design, low construction and operating costs, and adaptability to existing infrastructure, including docks and the depths of navigable waterways.
Source: Vympel Design Bureau
The 00640 ferry is designed based on a “modular platform” principle, allowing it to be customized to meet the needs of the customer. For instance, to reduce costs on routes with low passenger traffic, a simplified version of the vessel can be built without a passenger cabin. Conversely, to enhance consumer qualities, options such as air conditioning for the passenger cabin and vending machines can be installed.
In its basic version, the vessel is equipped with a diesel-mechanical power plant that is easy to maintain and repair. The project also includes the possibility of creating a version with electric propulsion powered by batteries, making it an environmentally friendly solution for urban and suburban crossings. The electric motors are powered by batteries that are recharged from docking facilities during loading and unloading. This solution eliminates harmful emissions in urban areas and reduces operating costs by utilizing electricity from the city grid.
| Main characteristics of ferry 00640 | |
|---|---|
| Length | 32,2 m |
| Width | 12,2 m |
| Draft | 1,75 м |
| Main engine power | 2х150 kW |
| Speed | 15 km/h |
| Capacity | 14 class D passenger cars (instead of 11 on ferries 603/603A) or 6 medium-duty vehicles and 94 passengers |
Currently, a significant portion of river ferries, especially those of the 603/603A project, have reached their maximum service life. The average age of these vessels is 56 years, yet they remain in demand for crossings. However, their design, developed in the 1950s, no longer meets modern requirements. The cargo deck is inefficient for accommodating passenger cars, which make up the bulk of contemporary traffic, and passenger cabins are often inaccessible to people with limited mobility.
The new ferry is intended for the transportation of vehicles and passengers on river and lake crossings and is designed to the class “O 2.0 (ice 20) A” of the Russian Maritime Register, allowing it to operate in waves up to 2 meters high.
